Carl Paladino has said a lot of nasty things while running for governor of New York, and maybe he’s just now realized that knocking people isn’t the way to get them to vote for you. The Republican candidate has now retracted several “disgusting” anti-gay comments and apologized in a public statement.

After the media reported Paladino as saying things such as “I don't want [children] to be brainwashed into thinking that homosexuality is an equally valid and successful option,” Paladino responded to the ensuing uproar by issuing a public statement in which he apologizes and tries to set the record straight on his LBGT beliefs.

“I sincerely apologize for any comment that may have offended the Gay and Lesbian Community or their family members,” Paladino wrote. He also went on to say he is “a live-and-let-live person,” who is “100 percent against discrimination against any group.” And also “100 percent against hate crimes in any form.” The full statement is featured in the New York Daily News.

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Two of the largest adult film producers in Los Angeles, Vivid Pictures and Wicked Entertainment, have halted filming altogether in response to one as-yet unidentified performer testing positive for HIV.

The case is confirmed through the Sherman Oaks clinic in California, which regularly tests adult film stars working in the LA area. The industry has come under fire for non-frequent use of condoms during movie shoots despite regular testing that allows for quick response.

As a result of the incident, Vivid Pictures co-founder Steven Hirsch said in a statement, “We did this as a precaution and will continue to monitor the situation. AIM Healthcare acted appropriately to quarantine all adult talent who may have been exposed. We will wait for all of the facts to emerge before we resume production.”

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The museum of New Zealand is facing criticism after posting advisories that pregnant or menstruating women would not be allowed into a behind-the-scenes cultural exhibition.

The tour features ancient Maori artifacts gathered from the Te Papa—a culture that maintains strict taboos surrounding the sacredness of women—and the museum agreed to the ban when it took on the collection out of respect to the Te Papa beliefs. Chris Finlayson, the country’s minister of arts, culture, and heritage, said that the prohibition was more of a suggestion.

“It's an advisory requested by the iwi, but it's for people to make up their own minds,” Finlayson went on to say, “If a woman is pregnant or menstruating, they are tapu. Some of these taonga have been used in battle and to kill people. Pregnant women are sacred and the policy is in place to protect women from these objects.” Well, being sacred is nice, but we can probably protect ourselves—even from ancient Maori warrior spirits haunting us from beyond the grave. Thanks, anyway.

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The NFL is putting a little sexy in their sport by hiring covergirl Marisa Miller to be their new spokesperson, and some bloggers are crying mixed message. The stunning Ms. Miller was recently featured headlining the ever-popular Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition and strutting down the catwalk for Victoria’s Secret … and she’s a confessed football “superfan.”

“I'm so excited to have this incredible opportunity to partner with the NFL,” Miller told The Hollywood Reporter, adding, “I've grown up watching football my whole life.”

But some sports nuts are confused by the move, as they say current spokesperson Greg Aiello is doing "just fine." and Miller’s sexy strutting runs counter to the rules of sexual decorum pressed upon the football players themselves—proving that people will always find something to complain about, even if it’s just a gorgeous woman dressed up in football gear.